Sliding fastener



Sept. 27, 1949. w. c. LEVERING 2,483,057

SLIDING FASTENER Filed Oct. 8, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l @wimax Sept. 27, 1949. w. c. LEvERlNG SLIDING FASTENER 2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed oct. a, 1945 Patented Sept. 27., 1949 2,483,057 sLlDmG FASTENER William C. Levering, East Orange, N. J.

Application October 8, 1945, Serial No. .621,007

My invention relates to sliding fasteners. An important object of the invention is to provide a sliding fastener for use in connection withI three or more sides.

A further object of the invention is to provide a slide that will thread three or more groups of interlocking links.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above mentioned character which Is simple in construction and positive and reliable In operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course'of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughut the same,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sliding fastener embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the groups of interlocking links,

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on line 3 3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a similar view taken on line 4 4 of Figure l,

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section taken on line 5 5 of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a horizontal section taken on line 6 6 of Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the slide,

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a slightly modiiied form of slide, l

Figure 9 is a transverse section taken on line 9 9 of Figure 8.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown preferred embodiments of my invention, attention being called rst to Figures 1 to '7, inclusivethe numeral l0 designates flexible sides of a case or folder, and the numeral II designates an inner exible side or partition. Each side I 0 is equipped with a group of interlocking spaced links I2. Each interlocking link I2 is provided at its outer end with a yoke; forming pairs of laws I3, receiving therebetween a bead I 4, and these jaws are pressed inwardly for clamping engagement with the bead. The bead I4 is formed upon a flexible strip or tape I5, arranged upon the inner face of the side III, and secured thereto by cement or other suit/able means. Each interlocking link I2 is provided near its free end with a spherical lug I6, upon one side thereof, and upon its opposite side with a spherical recess I1. Arranged between the groups of interlocking links I2 is a longitudinal group of 7 Claims. (Cl. 24-205) spaced double locking links I8. Each double interlocking link I8 is substantially T-shaped and includes an upper horizontal arm I9 and a depending vertical portion or shank 20. The horizontal portion I9 is provided near its free ends Y with spherically curved lugs 2 I, disposed upon one face of the same, and spherically curved recesses 22, disposed upon the opposite face of the same. Each depending portion 20 is provided at its lower end with a yoke including jaws 23, receiving a bead 24, and these jaws are pressed inwardly for clamping engagement with the bead 24. The bead 24 is carried by a strip or tape 25, which is attached to the intermediate side I I by cement or other suitable means. The horizontal portion I9 is provided in its top with a transverse intermediate notch or groove 22', as shown.

The numeral 26 designates a slide. This slide has a straight portion 26', extending to'one end thereof, and an enlarged portion 21', diverging toward its opposite end. The slide 26 has a, tubular web 2'I. This tubular web has a longitudinal guide passage 28, straight in a horizontal plane, receiving the intermediate double interlocking links I8. This tubular web 21 forms with the slide guide passages 29 which converge horizontally toward the straight portion 26'. The guide passages 29 are diverged in a horizontal plane and lead into a tapered link threading portion 39 of the common straight guide passage 3I.

The slide is provided at its longitudinal edges with slots 32, extending from one end to the other, for the passage of the strips I5. The slide is also provided in its bottom with a longitudinal slot 33, extendingto the opposite ends of the slide, for receiving the depending portions 29 of the intermediate double interlocking links. The slide 26 is provided upon its top with an internal guide rib 34, extending to the opposite ends of the slide and arranged centrally within the passages 28 and 3l. This guide rib enters the notches 22' of the interlocking links I8. The enlarged portion 2 of the slide is longitudinally curved in'a vertical plane, and the passages 29 and the tapered passage portion 30 are longitudinally curved in a vertical plane.

The slide 26 is provided upon its top with a rib 34', having grooves 35, receiving jaws 36, carried by a handle or hand-grip 31.

The operation of the sliding fastener is as follows:

When the slide fastener 26 is movedlongitudinally to the left, Figure 1, in the direction of its enlarged portion 21', the double intermediate interlocking links I8 enter the passage 23, while the side interlocking links i2 enter the converging passages 28. The double interlocking links I 8 and the side interlocking links i2 then enter the tapered portion I of the common guide passage 8i. When passing through the passage 2l and the passage portion 30. the double interlocking links i8 have their upper or free ends spread or diverged, by virtue of the longitudinal curvature of the passage and passage portion 30 in the vertical plane. When passing through link threading portion III, the side interlocking links l2 have their free end spread or diverged by virtue oi the horizontal curvature or divergence c! the passage portion 3B. The interlocking links i2 are staggered with relation to the interlocking links I.. and as the slide continues to move to the left, interlocking links i2 are threaded between the interlocking links i8, and the lugs I6 of the links i2 enter the recesses 22 of links Il. while lugs 2| enter the recesses I1. The links i2 and links I8 approach each other as theyy near the straight passage 3i. and when these links are within the straight passage, they are parallel in close relation, and securely interlock. When locked, the links I2 and it are substantially horizontal, Figure l. When the slide is moved in the reverse direction, the links Il and i2 are unlocked. as is obvious.

In Figures 8 and 9. I have shown a modification oi the invention. The same group of interlocking links i2 are employed but they are transversely inclined or angularly arranged and the strips i are also inclined and secured to the sidesl il. which are inclined. The numeral 3l' designates generally T-shaped double interlocking links. provided with an upper generally horizontal portion 3l', having a.` rounded top edge 32. Each double locking link 3l' has a depending portion or shank 32. the lower end of which is provided with a yoke having Jaws 33, clamped upon the bead 24. carried by the strip 25, and secured to the intermediate side Il. The generally horizontal portion 3|' is provided near its ends and upon opposite sides with spherically curved lugs Il, and spherically curved recess 3l, corresponding to the lugs and recesses'2l and 22.

The numeral designates a slide. having a tubular web 21 at its forward or large end. forming a guide passage Il. This tubular web 31 forms with the converging sides of the slide inclined 3l. leading into the tapered portion Il of a'oommon passage ll, corresponding to the passage portion 3l and common passage 3|. The slide is provided in its bottom with slots I2, extending throughout its entire length, to receive the strips il, and is also provided in its bottom with a slot 43 extending throughout its entire length to receive the depending portions I2. The forward portion of the slide 86 is curved longitudinally in a vertical plane. as described in connection with the ilrst form of the invention. The rib 3l and notches 22' are omitted.

The operation of this device is similar to that of the first form of the invention.u

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same. and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement oi' parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subioined claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isz.

1. A sliding fastener, comprising an intermediate group of spaced double interlocking links, each double link having spaced ends. a ilexlble strip carrying the links, outer groups of spaced interlocking links for engagement with the spaced ends of the double interlocking links, ilexible strips carrying the outer groups of interlocking links, and a slide common to all groups of links for engagement with all of such groups and having a tubular web forming a passage for receiving the intermediate group oi double interlocking links and converging side passages, the slide having a common link-closing passage provided with a tapered portion in communication with the side passages, the outer groups of interlocking links being received by the side passages and conducted thereby into the link-closing passage.

2. A slide fastener, comprising an intermediate group of spaced double interlocking links. each double link having opposed ends. a ilexible strip carrying the links, outer groups of spaced in` terlocking links for engagement with the opposed ends of the double interlocking links, ilexible strips carrying the outer groups of interlocking links. and a slide common to all groups of links for engagement therewith and having a tubular web forming a e for receiving the intermediate group of double interlocking links and converging side passages. the slide having a common link-closing e provided with a tapered portion in communication with the side passages. the slide being curved longitudinally in a substantially vertical plane within the area of the double link receiving e and the tapered portion of the link-closing passage, the outer groups of interlocking links being received by the side passages and conducted thereby into the link-closing passage.

3. A sliding fastener. comprising an intermediate group of spaced double interlocking links. each line being provided with a top having op'- posed ends and having a notch arranged between the opposed ends, a ilexible strip carrying the links. outer groups of spaced interlocking links for coaction with the double interlocking links. nexlble strips carrying the outer groups of interlocking links. and a slide common to all groups of links for engagement with all of such groups and having a tubular web forming a passage for receiving the intermediate group of double interlocking links, and converging side passages, the slide having a common link-closing passage provided with a tapered link threading portion in communication with the side passages, the slide being provided in its top with an internal longitudinal rib to' enter the notches in the tops of the double interlocking' links. the slide being longitudinally curved in the area of the double link receiving passage and the tapered link threading passage portion. the outer groups ot interlocking links being received by the side passages and conducted thereby into the link-closlng passage.

4. A sliding fastener. comprising an intermediate group oi spaced T-shaped double interlocking links. each link including an upper horimntal portion anda depending shank, a ilexible strip carrying the shanks. outer groups of spaced interlocking links for` coaction with the double interlocking links. exible strips carrying the outer groups of interlocking links, and a slide common to all groups of links for engagement with all of such groups and having a tubular web forming a passage for receiving the intermediate group of double interlocking links, saId slide being provided in'its bottom with a longitudinal slot for receiving the shanks, said slide having converging side passages and a common link-closing passage provided with a tapered side link threading portion in communication with the side passages, said slide being provided in its edges with longitudinal slots receiving the strips carrying the side interlocking links, the slide being longitudinally curved in a vertical plane in the area of the double locking link receiving passage and the tapered link threading passage portion, the outer groups of links being received by the side passage and conducted thereby into the linkclosing passage.

5. A slide fastener, comprising an intermediate group of spaced double interlocking links, each double linkhaving opposed ends, a flexible strip carrying the links, outer groups of spaced interlocking links for engagement with the group of double interlocking links, ilexible strips carrying the outer groups of interlocking links, and a single slide for engaging all of the groups of links for locking them together and having a tubular web forming a passage for receiving the double interlocking links, said slide having converging side passages and a common link-closing passage provided with a tapered link threading portion in communication with the side passages, all of said passages being substantially straight in a direction transversely of the slide, said slide being provided in its bottom with a longitudinal slot and having longitudinal slots in its edges, the slide being curved longitudinally in a substantially vertical plane within the area of the double link receiving passage and the tapered link threading passage portion, the outer groups of interlocking links being received by the side passage and conducted thereby into the link-closing passage.

6. A slide fastener, comprising an intermediate group of spaced double interlocking links, each link having opposed free ends, a exible strip carrying the links, outer groups of spaced interlocking links for engagement with the opposed ends of double interlocking links, flexible strips carrying the outer groups of interlocking links, and a slide having-a tubular web forming a passage for receiving the intermediate group ofdouble interlocking links, said slide having converging side passages which are transversely inclined and a common link-closing passage provided with a tapered link threading portion in communication with the side passages, the slide having a longitudinal slot in its bottom and longitudinal slots in its lower edges, the slide being longitudinally curved in the area of the double link receiving passage and the tapered link threading passage portion, the outer groups of interlocking links being received by the side passages and conducted thereby into the link-closing passage.

7. A sliding fastener, comprising a` group of spaced interlocking links, each link having a plurality of lugs and recesses, a ilexible strip carrying the group of interlocking links, a plurality of groups of interlocking links for engagement withuthe first group of interlocking links, each link of each of the last named groups having a lug and recess, flexible strips carrying the plurality of groups of interlocking links, and a slide common to all groups of links for engagement with all of such groups and having a, tubular web forming a passage for receiving .the rst4 group of interlocking links and converging passages for receiving the plurality of groups of interlocking links, said slide having a common link closing passage provided with a tapered portion in communication with the converging passages.

- C LEVERING` REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,178,885 Bui et al. Nov. '7, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 482,006 Great Britain Mar. 22, 1938 

